The White House announced the president’s intent to nominate handbag designer and Mar-a-Lago member Lana Marks to be his ambassador to South Africa. If confirmed, she would replaced Patrick Gaspard who served as Ambassador to Pretoria from 2013-2016. The last career diplomat appointed as Ambassador to South Africa was Cameron R. Hume who served from 2001-2004.

Prior appointees to this position also include Donald Gips who previously served as Vice President Al Gore’s Chief Domestic Policy Advisor; career diplomat and three-time Ambassador Princeton N. Lyman; and career diplomat and four-time Ambassador Edward Joseph Perkins,

New: Trump nominates handbag entrepreneur (and Mar-a-Lago member) Lana Marks to be his ambassador to South Africa. Marks is the 4th Mar-a-Lago member Trump has recruited to serve as a U.S. ambassador. https://t.co/Z9fkRM1Jzgpic.twitter.com/PMjq42IUEP

On November 13, the White House announced the president’s intent to nominate retired U.S. Army four-star General John P. Abizaid to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The WH released the following brief bio:

John P. Abizaid of Nevada, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
General Abizaid currently serves as the first Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and works as a private consultant at JPA Associates. Previously, he held the Distinguished Chair of the Combating Terrorism Center at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has worked with the Preventative Defense Project at Stanford University and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. General Abizaid began his career in the U.S. Army as an infantry platoon leader and rose to become a four-star general and the longest serving commander of United States Central Command. He served as the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff and then Director of the Joint Staff among other leadership positions. General Abizaid was a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and earned his M.A. in Middle Eastern Area Studies from Harvard University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Institute for Strategic Studies. General Abizaid is a recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star.

If confirmed, General Abizaid would succeed Joseph William Westphal (1948–) who was Ambassador to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh from March 28, 2014–January 9, 2017. Ambassador appointments to Saudi Arabia going back to the mid-1990’s have all been noncareer political appointees. The last career diplomat appointed as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia was Charles W. Freeman Jr. who served from 1990-1992 under George H. W. Bush.

New: After nearly two years in office, President Trump has finally announced the nomination of an ambassador to Saudi Arabia: John Abizaid, a former US Army general and current visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution

If confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, John Abizaid would fill a key diplomatic vacancy at a time of tense U.S.-Saudi relations over the slaying of a journalist critical of the Saudi royal family. https://t.co/rP47Bl4s4E

Trump nominates Abizaid as US Ambassador to Saudi signaling it will be business as usual plus. Would be a good move if it suggested adult supervision and limiting of Kushner role. https://t.co/VjQdhdeCTX rump nominates Abizaid as US Ambassador

On November 7, the White House announced the president’s intent to nominate Ambassador Matthew H. Tueller to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. The WH released the following brief bio:

Matthew H. Tueller of Utah, to be to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq.

Ambassador Tueller, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, rank of Minister-Counselor, is currently United States Ambassador to Yemen. Previously, he served as United States Ambassador to Kuwait, Deputy Chief of Mission at United States Embassy Cairo, Political Minister Counselor at United States Embassy Baghdad, Deputy Chief of Mission at United States Embassy Kuwait, Counselor for Political Affairs at United States Embassy Riyadh, and Deputy Director for the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs in the Department of State. Ambassador Tueller received his B.A. from Brigham Young University and his M.P.P. from Harvard University. He is the recipient of the CIA Director’s Seal Award, two Presidential Meritorious Honor Awards, and the Department of State’s Baker-Wilkins Award for Outstanding Deputy Chief of Mission. Ambassador Tueller is fluent in Arabic.

Utahn Matthew Tueller, who is currently America’s ambassador to Yemen, would be the United States' top diplomat in Baghdad if confirmed by the Senatehttps://t.co/hopLGhDbVx

Amb Matthew #Tueller attended a meeting of Quad Ambassadors to discuss economic issues at @mohdsalj office at the @SaudiDRPY. All agreed economic issues are at the root of the humanitarian crisis in #Yemen, and economic solutions are integral to any political solution. pic.twitter.com/snspwelO2R

On November 7, the White House announced the president’s intent to nominate career diplomat Kate Marie Byrnes to be the U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia. The WH released the following brief bio:

Kate Marie Byrnes of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Macedonia.

Ms. Byrnes, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy Athens, Greece. Previously, she was the Deputy Chief of Mission and Deputy United States Permanent Representative at the United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Vienna, Austria. During her career, she has served as Public Affairs Counselor at the United States Embassy Madrid Spain, Department of State Senior Civilian Representative to Task Force Bastogne/Bronco, Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, and the Public Affairs Advisor to the United States Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels, Belgium. Ms. Byrnes earned B.S. and M.A. degrees from Georgetown University. She is also the recipient of the Secretary’s Expeditionary Service Award and the United States Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Ms. Byrnes speaks Spanish, Hungarian and Turkish.

According to the @WhiteHouse 🇺🇸, @realDonaldTrump has selected career @StateDept Foreign Service Officer and current Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Greece – Kate Marie Byrnes – to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of #Macedonia 🇲🇰

On November 5, the White House announced the president’s intent to nominate Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Australia. The WH released the following brief bio:

Arthur B. Culvahouse, Jr., of Tennessee, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of Australia.

Mr. Culvahouse is Chair Emeritus and Of Counsel to O’Melveny & Myers LLP, an international law firm. Previously, he served as Chair of the firm. He started his career as Chief Legislative Assistant to Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., and served as Counsel to the President of the United States from March 1987 through January 1989. Mr. Culvahouse served on numerous boards and commissions, including the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, the Intelligence Oversight Board, the Nuclear Command and Control System Federal Advisory Committee, and the Supreme Court Fellows Commission. He currently serves as a member of the Board of The Brookings Institution and the Board of the Howard H. Baker, Jr., Center for Public Policy. Mr. Culvahouse earned a B.S. from the University of Tennessee and J.D. from the New York University School of Law. In January 1989, President Reagan awarded Mr. Culvahouse the Presidential Citizens Medal, and, in December 1992, Secretary of Defense Cheney awarded him the Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

President Trump nominated a Republican lawyer to become the United States ambassador to Australia, filling the long vacant post https://t.co/KkrQujk5DZ

Trump’s Pick for New Ambassador a Good Fit for US–Australia Alliance – Michael Shoebridge – ASPI's The Strategist – "Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. has been nominated by Donald Trump to be the new U.S. ambassador to Australia…" https://t.co/clxRKscNZ0pic.twitter.com/rmefmlvHc6

The White House announced the president’s intent to nominate James Gilmore, the former Governor of Virginia to be the next Ambassador to the OSCE. The WH released a brief bio:

James S. Gilmore of Virginia, to be the Representative of the United States to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe with the Rank of Ambassador.

Mr. Gilmore currently serves as President and CEO of American Opportunity Foundation. Previously, he served as Governor of Virginia, Attorney General of Virginia, and as Chairman of the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction, a national panel established by Congress to assess Federal, State, and local government capabilities to respond to the consequences of a terrorist attack. Mr. Gilmore served in the United States Army for three years, where he was assigned to United States Army Intelligence in West Germany. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Law. Mr. Gilmore is the recipient of the Air Force Exceptional Service Award and the Joint Service Commendation Medal for Service to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Congratulations, Governor Gilmore. Great job working with great people. Let me know if/how I can be helpful when the time comes. https://t.co/0EHMj3whJv

The WH announced the president’s intent to nominate John Barsa, currently with DHS to be the next USAID Assistant Administrator for Latin American and the Caribbean. The WH released the following brief bio:

John Barsa of Florida, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean).

Mr. Barsa currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Partnership and Engagement (DHS OPE). Previously, he served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for OPE. Mr. Barsa served with the United States Army Reserves for nearly a decade and was a member of the 11th Special Forces Group and the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion. In the U.S. Congress, he worked for Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, focusing on foreign policy and national security issues. During the Bush Administration, Mr. Barsa served in external engagement roles within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. He is a graduate of Florida International University and is a native Spanish speaker.

Reax:

Congratulations to #Miami’s own John Barsa on his nomination as @USAID's Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean! I’m very proud to have a fellow @FIU alumn promoting our cherished values of freedom + democracy in the region!

On October 22, the White House announced the President’s intent to nominate Ohio businessman Edward F. Crawford to be the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. The WH released the following brief bio:

Edward F. Crawford of Ohio, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ireland.

Mr. Crawford currently serves as Chairman and CEO of The Edward Crawford Group and Park-Ohio Industries, Inc. He is the recipient of the Northeast Ohio Business Hall of Fame Entrepreneurial Award, Small Business News Master Innovator Award, Ernst & Young Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Small Business Administration Man of the Year-Ohio Award. He served in the Specialist Aviation Company, 107th Armored Cavalry, Army National Guard, and attended John Carroll University.

If confirmed, he would succeed another political appointee Kevin F. O’Malley who served from 2014-2017. Career diplomat Reece Smyth who was assigned as Deputy Chief of Mission to Dublin in 2016 assumed duties as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy on January 20th, 2017 after the departure of Ambassador O’Malley.

Edward Crawford was a big fundraiser for Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, helping him to win Ohio, a key battleground state in the race for the White Househttps://t.co/bViHPtJan8 via @IrishTimes

On October 17, the WH announced the President’s intent to nominate Air Force veteran David Stilwell to be the next Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP). The WH released the following brief bio:

David Stilwell of Hawaii, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State.

Mr. Stilwell is an Air Force veteran with more than 35 years of experience as a pilot, commander, and Korean linguist. He retired in 2015 with the rank of Brigadier General. Currently, Mr. Stilwell is the Director of the China Strategic Focus Group at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the East West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Previously, he served as Staff Officer for Joint Staff Plans and Policy (Asia) at the Pentagon and Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Mr. Stillwell earned his B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and M.A. degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, U.S. Air Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. He is the recipient of the Department of Defense Superior Service Award and speaks Korean, Chinese, and limited Japanese.

Brigadier General David Stilwell, who reportedly views China as a strategic competitor of the U.S., is considered to be the likely replacement for outgoing Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton. https://t.co/SQ0wsD1tZj

The nomination of an ex-Air Force General to be the next Assistant Secretary for EAP at State is a triple slap: first, Susan Thornton was qualified; second, it is another non-career pick; third, it militarizes diplomacy further. “Swagger,” my ass @SecPompeo

On October 17, the WH announced the President’s intent to nominate career diplomat and former ambassador to South Sudan Mary Catherine Phee as the next U.S. Ambassador to Qatar. The WH released the following brief bio:

Mary Catherine Phee of Illinois, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the State of Qatar.

Ms. Phee, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as the Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation at the Department of State. Previously, she served as Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, she served on the National Security Council as Director for Iraq and was the Senior Civilian Representative of the Coalition Provisional Authority to Maysan Province, al-Amarah, Iraq. Ms. Phee earned her B.A. from Indiana University and M.A.L.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She is the recipient the State Department’s Robert C. Frasure Memorial Award and the Baker-Wilkins Award for Outstanding Deputy Chief of Mission. She also received the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Order of the British Empire. Ms. Phee speaks Arabic.

If confirmed, this would be Ambassador Phee’s second ambassadorial appointment. She was appointed and confirmed U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan in 2015. She would succeed career diplomat Dana Shell Smith (1970–) who served as chief of mission to the US Embassy in Doha from 2014-2017.